High Blood Pressure Life Insurance

Finding suitable life insurance with high blood pressure can feel stressful, I’m Insured have experience in finding the best insurance for people with medical conditions, at a reasonable rate.

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High Blood Pressure Life Insurance: What you need to know

Finding life insurance with high blood pressure may feel daunting - many people worry that the cost of their insurance will increase or that their application may be declined by insurance providers.

Luckily, it is possible to get life insurance with high blood pressure at a standard rate. However, it is worthwhile to understand what you can expect from life insurance companies if you have high blood pressure. 

Using an independent insurance broker can help you to navigate the application for life insurance. This is particularly relevant if you have had previous life insurance applications declined or have a new diagnosis of high blood pressure. 

 

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is when your blood pressure is higher than 140/90mmHg. If you have high blood pressure, it means that your body is putting extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs. 

A persistent case of high blood pressure can lead to further health issues and complications over time including heart disease, strokes, heart attacks and vascular dementia. 

It is a common condition, with around a third of adults in the UK having high blood pressure. Despite this, many people who have the condition are unaware, as it often does not present symptoms.

You are more at risk of having high blood pressure if you:

  • Are over 65
  • Have a relative with high blood pressure
  • Are overweight
  • Eat too much salt and not enough veg
  • Drink too much alcohol or coffee

One of the most commonly recommended treatments for high blood pressure is a lifestyle change. It is recommended that you exercise more, drink less alcohol, reduce salt take and eat more fruit and vegetables. Medication such as ACE inhibitors can also be used as treatment.

 

How does high blood pressure affect life insurance?

Having high blood pressure can potentially have an impact on your ability to get life insurance. As high blood pressure is a pre-existing condition and can also be a sign of other medical conditions, there may be extra steps needed in your application.

As mentioned above, persistent high blood pressure can lead to further health complications which insurers need to take into account. Ensuring you supply your insurer with accurate, relevant information can help make sure that, should further complications arise or you need to make a claim, your policy still remains valid.

If you already have a life insurance policy and you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, there is no need to inform your insurance provider.

 

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Can I get life insurance with high blood pressure?

It is possible to get life insurance if you have high blood pressure. However, each life insurance provider can be different, so it is likely that the cover that is offered 

Life insurance companies will determine how much this will cost based on the severity of your condition. Additional factors to assess your life insurance application will look at your general health and lifestyle. This is usually determined by using a questionnaire.

 

How can I lower my blood pressure for a life insurance test?

Before the test, there are a few things you can do to ensure it’s accurate and as low as possible. Firstly, it’s vital to follow the instructions given to you before the examination. For example, you may be told to fast for some time before your appointment. 

Also, drink more glasses of water than usual a few days before your exam, and it’s a good idea to avoid as much caffeine as possible on the day.

One of the best ways to lower blood pressure in the longer term though, is to lose weight. Carrying around excess weight forces your heart to work harder to get the blood moving through your body. In addition, your diet can be a significant factor in lowering your blood pressure. The specific foods you consume can make a big difference in your blood pressure levels. 

 

Is high blood pressure classed as a critical illness?

Yes - Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risk of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. 

 

 

What information do you need to provide to insurers if you have high blood pressure?

In order to assess the risk of providing you life insurance with high blood pressure, it is likely that an insurer will request further information about your condition. 

The information requested will vary depending on the life insurance provider, however, you can typically expect to be asked:

  • The data you were diagnosed with high blood pressure
  • Up to date blood pressure readings (within six months ideally)
  • Disclosure of any hospital admissions
  • Medication you are taking for high blood pressure

It is important that you disclose high blood pressure and any related conditions to this in your life insurance application. Failure to do so can impact on future claims.

 

Associated conditions with high blood pressure and how they can affect life insurance

While having high blood pressure can easily be monitored and kept under control, there is also a concern that it may be a sign of or lead to more serious conditions.

1 in 20 cases of high blood pressure are the result of an underlying health condition, these can include:

  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lupus
  • Underactive or overactive thyroid
  • Scleroderma

If you have an additional condition that is relevant to high blood pressure, it is important to disclose this information to your insurance provider as this could have an effect on your application. 

Life insurance providers may request a GP report as medical evidence if you do have a condition that could be linked with high blood pressure. They will ask for your permission before obtaining this medical information.

  

Advice for high blood pressure life insurance applications

Preparation is key when it comes to applying for life insurance with high blood pressure. Life insurance providers look at applications on a case-by-case basis, this means that the more information  

If you’re looking for high blood pressure life insurance, there are a number of actions you can take to improve the application process. 

Have regular health check-ups with your doctor

If you have regular check-ups with your GP, for example every six months, this signals that you are looking after your condition to life insurance providers.  

Get up to date blood pressure readings

Similarly, having up to date readings will be beneficial for your life insurance application.

Get the help of a life insurance expert

It can be daunting trying to find the right life insurance when you have a health condition. The cheapest insurance may not be the most suitable for you and your family. In this case, using an independent insurance broker can help you to navigate the market and compare each policy.

I’m Insured is an independent insurance broker with specialist knowledge in life insurance with high blood pressure. Our expert team has a wealth of experience in finding the right life insurance cover for people with medical conditions.

If you have high blood pressure and want support with your life insurance application, you can contact the I’m Insured team or get your free insurance quote through our website.

 

 

Additional Resources

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12 foods that are brilliant for your heart

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Life insurance and heart conditions – what you need to know

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Two thirds of Brits have no Life Insurance

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7 ways to reduce your high blood pressure

According to Public Health England data, high blood pressure affects more than one in four adults in England, equivalent to around 12.5 million people in 2015.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does high blood pressure affect life insurance?
In most cases, high blood pressure that is well controlled should have little or no effect on your eligibility for life insurance. Therefore, the products and costs available to most people who take medication for high blood pressure will be the same as for a person who has never experienced the condition. Factors that may complicate eligibility can include if you have been diagnosed recently. If you take several types of medication to help with high blood pressure. And if your blood pressure remains high with medication and you are having to try new or different combinations of medication to try and improve your reading levels.
Can I get life insurance with high blood pressure?
All the mainstream UK life insurance providers have the capability of underwriting applications with high blood pressure disclosures. So, there is no reason why such an application would automatically be turned down. There are some examples of circumstances when there may be an increase in the price because of high blood pressure such as if your readings are consistently over a threshold level (typically 140/90). Unfortunately, there are limits to how high readings can go with insurers. In many cases readings that are consistently over 180/110 may be declined.
What is considered high blood pressure for life insurance?
Anyone who has been told by their doctor that they require treatment for high blood pressure should disclose this as part of a life insurance application. What is considered high by an insurer will depend on which insurer you are approaching. A rule of thumb in terms of when a reading would be considered abnormal - 140/90 is typical with most insurers. This does not necessarily mean a price increase however as other factors such as age will be taken into consideration.
Does high blood pressure disqualify you from life insurance?
Generally no. Only if an applicant’s readings are consistently around the 180/110 range. Most people who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and are on treatment fall well below this level of reading. So, for most, life insurance with high blood pressure is still very obtainable.

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That means you can nominate somebody to look after the money if you die and there’s a payout before you want the intended recipient to get the money. A common example is parents who want to have the payout go to a child only once the child turns 18 or 21. Putting a policy into trust also ensures that the payout goes to your intended recipient and can’t be seized by creditors if you have any debts when you die. There may also be tax benefits to putting a policy into trust.

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